My beloved
This phrase is a term of endearment and intimacy, reflecting the deep affection and personal connection between the speaker and the one she loves. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "דּוֹדִי" (dodi), which conveys a sense of cherished relationship. In the broader scriptural context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, where Christ is the beloved, and the Church is His bride. The love and longing expressed here are emblematic of the spiritual yearning for divine communion.

put his hand
The act of putting one's hand signifies intention and action. In the Hebrew culture, the hand is often symbolic of power, action, and possession. Here, it suggests the beloved's desire to enter and be present with the speaker. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as Christ's initiative in reaching out to His people, desiring to be close and to have a personal relationship with them.

to the latch
The latch represents a barrier or a point of entry. In ancient times, a latch was a simple mechanism used to secure a door, symbolizing both protection and separation. The beloved's action of reaching for the latch indicates a desire to overcome barriers and enter into a deeper relationship. This can be seen as a metaphor for Christ's knocking at the door of our hearts, as mentioned in Revelation 3:20, inviting us to open and let Him in.

my heart pounded
The physical reaction of the heart pounding is a vivid expression of excitement, anticipation, and emotional response. In Hebrew, the heart is often seen as the center of emotions and will. This phrase captures the intensity of the speaker's love and longing for the beloved. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the soul's deep yearning and passionate response to the presence and call of Christ, illustrating the transformative power of divine love.

for him
This phrase emphasizes the personal and exclusive nature of the speaker's affection and desire. It is not just any presence that causes the heart to pound, but specifically the presence of the beloved. In the context of Christian theology, this highlights the unique and personal relationship each believer is called to have with Christ. It underscores the idea that true fulfillment and joy are found in a personal relationship with the Savior, who is the ultimate beloved of our souls.

(4) By the hole--i.e., through (Heb. min), as in Song of Solomon 2:9. The hole is the aperture made in the door above the lock for the insertion of the hand with the key. The ancient lock was probably like the one in use in Palestine now. It consists of a hollow bolt or bar, which passes through a staple fixed to the door and into the door-post. In the staple are a number of movable pins, which drop into corresponding holes in the bolt when it is pushed home, and the door is then locked. To unlock it, the key is slid into the hollow bolt, and the movable pins pushed back by other pins in it, corresponding in size and form, which fill up the holes, and so enable the bolt to be withdrawn. It is said that, in lieu of a proper key, the arm can be inserted into the hollow bolt and the pins be pushed up by the hand, if provided with some soft material, as lard or wax, to fill up the holes, and keep the pins from falling back again till the bolt is withdrawn. This offers one explanation of Song of Solomon 5:5. Coming to the door and having no key, the lover is supposed to make use of some myrrh, brought as a present, in trying to open the door, and, not succeeding, to go away. The sweet smelling (Marg., passing, or running about) is the myrrh that drops from the tree naturally, before any incision is made in the bark, and is considered specially fine. Others explain Song of Solomon 5:5 by comparison with the heathen custom alluded to in Lucretius iv. 1173:--

"At lacrimans exclusus amator limina saepe

Floribus et sertis operit posteisque superbos

Unguet amaricino, et foribus miser oscula figit."

(Comp. Tibullus, 1:2-14.) Perhaps Proverbs 7:17 makes the comparison allowable, but the first explanation is preferable. . . .

Verse 4. - My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved for him. The door hole is a part of the door pierced through at the upper part of the lock, or door bolt (מִן־הַחור), that is, by the opening from without to within, or through the opening, as if, i.e., to open the door by pressing back the lock or bolt from within. There was some obstacle. He tailed to open it. It had not been left so that he could easily obtain admittance. The metaphor is very apt and beautiful. How much he loved her! How he tried to come to her! As applied to the Saviour, what infinite suggestiveness! He would be with us, and not only knocks at the door, but is impatient to enter; tries the lock, and too often finds it in vain; he is repelled, he is resisted, he is coldly excluded. My heart was moved for him. מֵעַי, "my inner being" (cf. Isaiah 63:15, where the same word is used of God). It is often employed to express sympathy and affection, especially with tender regret. The later authorities, as the older translations, have "to him" (עָלָיו), i.e. over him, or on account of him, in the thought of his wounded heart.

Parallel Commentaries ...


My beloved
דּוֹדִ֗י (dō·w·ḏî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

put
שָׁלַ֤ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his hand
יָדוֹ֙ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

to
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the latch;
הַחֹ֔ר (ha·ḥōr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2356: A cavity, socket, den

my heart
וּמֵעַ֖י (ū·mê·‘ay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4578: The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart

pounded
הָמ֥וּ (hā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

for him.
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 5:4 My beloved thrust his hand in through (Song Songs SS So Can)